Five Fitness Tips

February 27, 2017

We are almost three months in 2017 and going strong on New Year Resolutions and healthy eating….right? My focus had to take a break in February after my Grandpa passed away and I got the 14-day cold. I believe sickness is my body’s way of telling me to s-l-o-w down and rest. I push myself to get up early, work out and carve time for fitness, but sometimes it’s more important to rest. Now I am going into a travel marathon for work trips, plus tacking on days to explore Nashville and New York City. I am searching for inspiration to keep me focused on fitness, so I hope you also can benefit from my tips for keeping up on workouts.

Put Classes in Your Calendar

I love the feature of my workout scheduling apps where I can add it to my iCal. On Sunday, I’ll open my calendar and schedule my Orange Theory Fitness classes and LA Fitness classes. I am way more likely to follow through with a class if I have it “set in stone” rather than if I decide to do it on the fly. This way, if friends ask about my week plans or something comes up, I can see that I’ve already scheduled time to work out.

Set Your Workout Clothes Out

I am so much more likely to be on time and not skip the gym if I set my workout clothes out before I go to bed. Getting up at 5:45 am is not easy in the dark, cold winters, but it helps if I can slip on my clothes without thinking before I try to hit snooze again.

Have a Snack

Even if you don’t think you’re hungry, I highly recommend a quick half of a banana, Lara bar or half an apple with almond butter before a workout. This helps me feel energized and ready to conquer my workout rather than as if I tried to push myself on an empty stomach. When I’m on the treadmill running and I hear my stomach rumble, I’m way more likely to hop off and head home to breakfast!

Don’t Use Workouts as a Rationale

It is easy to tell yourself that because you worked out at the gym, you can have a bowl of ice cream for dessert. Or I can’t have the glass of wine because I didn’t go on a run this morning. I don’t think correlating food with rewards or workouts with punishment promotes a positive mindset about fitness. Instead, I believe in working out to be active, exercise my muscles and clear my head. While it does allow me to feel the flexibility to indulge in food, I don’t do it just so I can eat dessert. I believe in workouts to feel good and strong and food to enjoy and savor.

Take One Hour to Unplug

Think of your one hour at the gym as a time to clear your mind, not worry about others and take a break. The minute I walk into the gym and turn my music on, I flip my phone to airplane mode. I’ve gotten into the habit of this and people have begun to remember it. Most matters can wait an hour, and when I reply I like to say, “Hey I was at the gym and had my phone on airplane mode…(fill in the blank).” If you say this a few times, people will start to get the hint that you go into your own zone for your workouts.Gourmet Gab Fitness Tips

What tips give you inspiration to keep fitness as a priority? Comment below with any ideas and lace up those shoes to get going!

Love food. Love self. Love life.
Gabriela

Photos by Brooke Marcella Photography

  1. Rys Hunt says:

    All of the 5 tips are really important for fitness. Thanks for sharing

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